High security lock

ABSTRACT

A keyhole-less magnetically actuated lock, the key having magnets borne on concentric rings rotatable by a dial, the lock having magnetic reed switches within the lock actuatable by the key, some of the switches providing a series GO function and some providing a parallel NOGO function. In one form, the GO function powers an electric motor within the lock to withdraw the lock bolts, and in another form the actuator is a thermo electric device. Several NOGO techniques are shown, including a toggled circuit breaker and a bucking coil in the motor. A circuit is shown for inverting the GO and NOGO functions to change the combination of the lock, and one embodiment shows placement of the two magnets on one ring in the key to render the key unique. Another embodiment shows use of a covert grid of locator marks to direct correct placement of the key against the lock. The lock is shown associated with two forms of coin receptors for coin operated machines, one having a pull-out drawer and the other having a hopper and a delivery chute for collection of the coins. In one form shown, the combination is advanced incrementally each time the lock is opened, the key being reset each time to compensate, and in another form the magnets of the key and the switches of the lock rotate in synchronism as the lock opens. A form is also shown in which the lock is powered from the key.

United States Patent [191 Dettling et al.

[ HIGH SECURITY LOCK [75] Inventors: Joesph Dettling, S antaClara; JohnP. Barry, Woodland Hills, both of Calif.

[73] Assignee: United AircraftCoi'poration, East Hartford, Conn.

22 Filed: Apr. 25, 1974 21 Appl. No.: 464,013

Related U.S. Application Data [63] Continuation of Ser. No. 248,196,April 27, 1972, abandoned, which is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No.881,094, Dec. 1, 1969, abandoned.

[52] U.S. Cl 317/134, 70/276, 70/278 [51] Int. Cl. E05b 49/00 [58] Fieldof Search 317/134; 70/276, 278, 413;

[451 Mar. 25, 1975 Primaryfxaminer-J. D. Miller Assistant Examiner-HarryE. Moose, Jr. Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Steven F. Stone [57] ABSTRACT Akeyhole-less magnetically actuated lock, the key having magnets borne onconcentric rings rotatable by a dial, the lock having magnetic reedswitches within the lock actuatable by the key, some of the switchesproviding a series GO function and some providing a parallel NOGOfunction. In one form, the GO function powers an electric motor withinthe lock to withdraw the lock bolts, and in another form the actuator isa thermo electric device. Several NOGO techniques are shown, including atoggled circuit breaker and a bucking coil in the motor. A circuit isshown for inverting the GO and N060 functions to change the combinationof the lock, and one embodiment shows placement of the two magnets onone ring in the key to render the key unique. Another embodiment showsuse of a covert grid of locator marks to direct correct placement of thekey against the lock. The lock is shown associated with two forms ofcoin receptors for coin operated machines, one having a pull-out drawerand the other having a hopper and a delivery chute for collection of thecoins. In one form shown, the combination is advanced incrementally eachtime the lock is opened, the key being reset each time to compensate,and in another form the magnets of the key and the switches of the lockrotate in synchronism as the lock opens. A form is also shown in whichthe lock is powered from the key.

35 Claims, 21 Drawing Figures PATENTEDMARZSISTS 3,873,892

sum 3 o a SHEET 6 HF J 157 INVERTER A82 lm J79] PATENTED 2 5 5 SMU 7 U?8 FIG 1B men SECURITY LOCK CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS .wlfisrsfieti fi@941f ed 1, 1969, for

HIGH SECURITY LOCK, now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a HighSecurity Lock, and more particularly to a magnetically actuated lockhaving no penetration of the key into the lock.

Such high security locks are currently in demand in the coin-operatedmachine industry, although this is by no means the limit of theirusefulness. However, the coin-op industry is faced with special problemsfrom the intensity of pilferage. In an effort to render the locks usedmore pick-proof, sophisticated pin-tumbler locks have been developedhaving axial tumblers disposed in a ring shape, limited access aperturesand other features intended to impede picking. None of these effortshave succeeded in eliminating the keyhole, the focal point of pickingattempts. While forcing of the coin enclosures is also a problem, it hasbeen estimated that 90% of the theft losses in the coin-op laundromatfield are from lock picking and keying, rather than forcing. Apick-proof lock would thus be a considerable advance in theftprevention.

A number of previous efforts in the direction of magnetically actuatedlocks have resulted in cumbersome and expensive devices which producedlittle in the way of added security and sophistication, and were poorlyadapted to inexpensive production in volume. Such locks often offeredlittle advantage over a well made pin tumbler lock so far as picking andforcing were concerned. One group of prior art magnetic locks are thosewherein a small number of locks are intended to be operated by a largenumber of card-sized magnetized keys. Such locks require a slot forpenetration of the card into the lock body, thus laying the lock open tovarious attacks through the slot.

Prior locks also offered little or no security against theproblem'present by a stolen key as no action was required by theoperator beyond insertion of the correct key into the lock. Most suchlocks also had no penalty apparatus to discourage tampering, so thatthey could ultimately be defeated by a person having adequate time toapply to the tampering effort. In most such locks, the correct locationfor application of the key to the lock is obvious, as there is a keyholeor slot.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The locking device of the present inventionpresents no keyhole or slot to the would-be thief. Instead, a key devicehaving rotatably positionable magents within it is brought up againstthe lock portion. Within the lock portion are a group of magnetic reedswitches actuatable by the magnetic fields of the magnets in the key.

Some of the switches in the lock portion are in series with the powersupply to an electric actuator which retracts the lock bolts to open thelock, and others are in the line of supply of power to a NOGO devicewhich blocks the actuator. The NOGO devices either interrupt the supplyof power to the actuator, or electromagnetically cancel its action.

Since the present locking device is intended generally for systemshaving a relatively large number of locks operated by a relatively smallnumber of keys, it has been found to be advantageous to transfer some ofthe sophistication from the lock portion to the key portion of thedevice. The key portion of the device has its magnets positionable by adial device to gain the effect of a combination lock, but it cannonetheless be made unique to a particular series of locks.

The NOGO device penalizes tampering by blocking actuation ifa broad areafield is applied to the lock, and

its action may be made to lock out after a tampering effort, so thateven the correctly positioned magnets will not actuate the lock untilthe NOGO device is reset. Resetting may be made through another lockdevice. Since the lock of the present device requires neither keyholenor slot, further sophistication may be introduced by making the properlocation for positioning of the key on the lock non-obvious, thus ineffect adding another element to the correct opening combination. Thelockout on the NOGO is particularly useful in this instance, as itprevent sweeping of the key over the lock from being effective.

Accordingly, it is a principal object of the present invention toprovide a locking device of the character described which iskeyhole-less, pickproof and jimmyresistant.

It is a further principal object of the present invention to provide alocking device of the character described which cannot be defeated byapplication of a broad or swept magnetic field. I

Another principal object of the present invention is to provide alocking device of the character described which has a great number ofpossible combinations and can at the same time be master-keyable andhave a key with a combination unique to its series, inoperableregardless of setting on locks of another series.

Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a lockingdevice of the character described which penalizes tampering.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a lockingdevice of the character described which is capable of automatic periodiccombination changing.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a lockingdevice of the character described in which the location for applicationof the key to the lock is a covert element of the combination.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent as the specification progresses, and the new and usefulfeatures thereof will be fully defined in the claims attached hereto.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The preferred form of the presentinvention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, forming a part ofthis specification, in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the locking device of thepresent invention in one application, showing the drawer after removalin phantom;

FIG. 2 is a partially schematic perspective of the operating system ofthe locking device;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view on an enlarged scale, takenapproximately along the plane of lines 33 of FIG. I;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view on an enlarged scale, takenapproximately along the plane of lines 44 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken approximately along the plane ofline 55 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a crosssectional view taken approximately along the plane oflines 66 of FIG. 4; t

' FIg. 7 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view on an enlarged scaletaken approximately along the plane of lines 7-7 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken approximately along the plane oflines 88 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of the manual resetmechanism taken approximately along the plane of lines 99 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of the cycling cam andswitches, taken approximately along the plane of lines l0--l0 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 11 is a semi-schematic exploded perspective view of the cam andmanual reset system of the locking device;

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of the electrical circuit of oneembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of the electrical circuit of anotherembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the lockingdevice of the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a partly cross-sectional front elevation on an enlargedscale. with parts broken away of the embodiment of FIG. 14, takenapproximately along the plane of lines l5-l5 of FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram of the electrical circuit of anotherembodiment of the locking device of the present invention;

FIG. 17 is an exploded perspective view of the.

drawer front of the lock portion of another embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 18 is an exploded perspective view of the key portion correspondingto the lock portion of FIG. 17;

FIG. 19 is a schematic perspective view of another form of the lockingdevice of the present invention, with portions shown broken away andportions in phantom;

FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram of the electrical circuit of anotherembodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 21 is a schematicview of one form of lock actuator applicable tothe embodiment of FIG. 15.

While only the preferred forms of the present invention have been shown,it should be understood that various changes or modifications may bemade within the scope of the claims attached hereto.

l DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to the drawings indetail, it will be seen that the locking device 21 of the presentinvention includes a lock portion 22 and a key portion 23 for unlockingthe lock portion 22. A barrier generally indicated at 24 is interposedbetween the lock portion 22 and the key portion 23 so that there is nophysical penetration of the key portion 23 into the lock portion 22,such as through a keyhole. A number of magnetic reed switches 26 arearrayed in a pattern within the lock portion 22, and some of theswitches 26 are connected in series to control the supply of power to anelectromotive device 27 which operates as the lock actuator to open thelock portion 22.

The key portion 23 includes anarray of magnets 28 which are positionableto correspond to the pattern of the switches 26. To unlock portions 22,the key portion 23 is operated to correctly position thc magncts 28 andthen brought into juxtaposition with the barrier 24, which is made ofmagnetically permeable material. The magnetic field of the magnets 28penetrates the harrier 24 to actuate certain desired ones of themagnetic reed switches 26 to supply power to the electromotive device27, which then operates to open the lock portion 22.

While certain of the magnetic reed switches 26 are connected in a seriescircuit identified at 29, others of the magnetic reed switches areconnected in a parallel circuit 31 which supplies power to anelectrically actuated device 32 within the lock portion 22 whichoperates to perform the NOGO function by blocking the action of theelectromotive device 27. Since the magnetic reed switches 26 in thecircuit 31 are connected in parallel relationship to each other, closureof any one of those switches will apply electric power to theelectrically actuated NOGO device 32.

The electrically actuated NOGO device 32 may take a number of differentforms. Twosuch forms are shown schematically in FIGS. 12 and 13. In FIG.12 the electromotive device 27 which actuates the lock is an electricmotor 33 having a conventional driving winding 34. In this embodimentthe electric motor 33 is equipped with an additional winding 36 which isso wound and disposed within the motor 33 that it produces a field whichcancels the field of the conventional driving winding 34 and preventsoperation of the motor 33. This bucking winding 36 constitutes theelectrically actuated NOGO device 32 in this form of the invention. Itmay be seen from the diagram of FIG. 12 then, that closure of all of theswitches 26 in the series circuit 29 is necessary to supply electricpower to the driving coil 34 of the motor 33, while closure of any ofthe switches 26 in the parallel circuit 31 will supply power to thebucking coil 36. The bucking coil 36 will act as a NOGO device toprevent actuation of the motor 33 despite the supply of power to thedriving coil 34.

In the circuit of FIG. 13, the NOGO device 32 is a circuit breaker 37having a trip coil 38. The circuit breaker 37 is arranged with itsswitch contacts in series within the line of supply of electric power tothe electromotive device or lock actuator 27 so that when it is trippedthe supply of power to the actuator 27 isinterrupted. Closure of any ofthe magnetic reed switches 26 in the parallel circuit 31 power the tripcoil 38 to trip ished through the parallel circuit 31 to the trip coil38 I the circuit breaker 37 would pass power from the series circuit 29to the motor 27. However, as here shown, the circuit breaker 37 is ofthe toggle action type which remains in its tripped state untilelectrically or manually reset. For this purpose, the circuit breaker 37isequipped with a reset coil 39 and a reset switch 41 which may be madeaccessible through some other secured portion of the lock portion 22.

The toggle action of the circuit breaker 37 operates to penalizetampering with the locking device 21, by locking the circuit into a NOGOstate when any of the switches 26 ina parallel circuit 31 are closeddespite any discontinuance of the tampering and reopening of theswitches 26 in the circuit 31. Meddling with the locking device 21 willthus cause it to refuse to open for anyone until it is reset by thereset coil 39 and the reset switch 41. While the reset function is hereshown as being accomplished electrically, it may also be accomplishedmanually as by moving the switch handle of a circuit breaker back to itsnormal position.

Within the key portion 23, the magnets 28 are carried on a number ofrotatable elements 42 which are shown here as ratchet wheels. Therotatable elements 42 are illustrated in a concentric relation and areequipped with sloping ratchet teeth 43 at their peripheries. The rachetteeth 43 are engaged by a pair'of pawls 44 and 46, with the pawl 44being attached to the inner periphery of the outer ratchet wheel 42 andengaging the inner ratchet wheel 42, while the pawl 46 is attached tothe case of the key 23 and engages the outer periphery of the outerratchet wheel 42. The inner ratchet wheel 47 is attached through a shaftschematically shown as 49 to a knob 51 by which it may be rotated.

The two ratchet wheels 47 and 48 and their respective pawls 44 and 46are oriented opposite in rotational sense to each other so that as seenin FIG. 2, when the knob 51 is rotated in a counterclockwise directionthe two ratchet wheels 47 and 48 will be moved together in acounterclockwise direction, and as the knob 51 is rotated in a clockwisedirection the rachet wheel 47 will be rotated alone. Thus a combinationsetting function similar to that performed in a combination lock isprovided within the key portion 23.

The elements of the key portion 23 are mounted in a case 52 having theknob 51 on its front face 53. For the purposes of the embodiment of FIG.1, the rear side of the case 52 is provided with a sloping locator lip54 which mates with a similarly sloped portion 56 located at the upperedge of the barrier 24. The front face 53 of the case is provided with adial device which includes the knob 51 and a circular series of dialindicia 57 for indicating rotational position of the knob 51. The frontface 53 is also equipped with an indicator window 58 for viewing theindicia 59 marked on the outer ratchet wheel 48 to indicate itsrotational position.

The magnets 28 are preferrably small dimension bar magnets. If it isdesired to make the key portion 23 unique to a particular series of lockportions 22 two or more of the small magnets 28 may be mounted on one ofthe rotating elements 47 or 48 of the key portion 23. Once two suchmagnets have been affixed to a single one of the rotating elements, andthe corresponding magnetic reed switches 26 in the lock portion alignedcorrespondingly, then the lock portion 22 may be opened only by a keyportion 23 having a pair of the magnets similarly permanently fixed withrespect to each other. Of course, it should be appreciated that asimilar purpose may be accomplished by providing one or more fixednon-rotatable magnets within the key portion.

Fixing a pair of the magnets 28 with respect to each other in thisfashion, however, limits the choice of combinations available to bebuilt into lock and key pairs to distinguish them from other similarlock and key pairs. Accordingly, where it is desirable to retain thelargest possible number of permutations of magnet positions, additionalrotatable elements may be providedin concentric relation in the keyportion 23 with a single magnet to each rotatable element as depictedschematically in FIG. 19. In such a device it would be desirable toeliminate the ratchet arrange mcnt shown in FIG. 2 and provide insteadpairs of mating dogs between each rotating element and the element nextto it in the fashion customarily employed in combination locks.

The locking device of the present invention is shown, for illustrativepurposes only, as being applied to a coin 'acceptor of the type usuallyassociated with coinoperated machinery. Such coin acceptors 61customarily have an outer casing or enclosure of heavy-gauge steeldesignated here as 62 and generally possess some means for insertingcoins to activate the coin-operated machinery such as the coin injectorslide shown here as 63. However, the coin injector slide 63 is no partof the present invention and might as readily be replaced by a simpleslot or other forms of coin genuinenessverifying devices. The coinacceptor 61 is equipped with a coin receiving drawer which is normallylocked into place within the housing 62. To periodically empty the coinsreceived by the acceptor 61, the drawer 64 is unlocked and withdrawn foremptying.

The acceptor 61 is also provided with an access hatch 66 which may beopened to gain entry to portions of the housing of the acceptor which donot receive coins and may contain cycling switches, timers, etc. Thishatch 66 is commonly secured with a lock 67 of a less high degree ofsecurity than that used for the coin drawer as no money is usuallyaccessible through the hatch 66. The hatch 66 provides the securedaccess referred to above in which the reset switch or manual switchhandle of the circuit breaker may be located for resetting the NOGOdevice in the form of the invention shown in FIG. 13.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 7, the front of the drawer 64 forms the barrier24 and constitutes an imperforate closure plate of substantial thicknesshaving a hollowed out portion 68 in its rearward side. As shown in FIG.5, the magnetic reedswitches 26 are disposed within the hollowed outportion 68, held in a fixed array on a circuit board 69. Immediatelybehind the barrier 24 which serves as the front of the drawer 64 are apair of locking bolts 71. These bolts are shown in extended position inFIG. 3. In extended position, they lock behind a lip 72 which surroundsthe opening or receiver portion 70- in the casing 62 of the acceptor 61into which the drawer 64 is inserted.

As shown in FIG. 8, the lock bolts 71 are generally L-shaped in form andpivotally attached to the body of the mechanism through bearings 73. Inthe position shown in solid lines in FIG. 8, the lock bolts are extendedto lock the drawer into the acceptor, and the position shown in phantomrepresents the retracted position of the bolts 71. The lock bolts 71 areextended by a double eccentric cam 74 formed of two circular eccentriccams phased rotational degrees apart.

As may be seen in FIGS. 7 and 11, the two eccentric circles forming thecam 74 are slightly axially offset from each other on the shaft 50 ofthe motor 33, so that those portions of the lock bolt 71 which act asfollowers for the cam will each ride on only one of the circles. Toallow for the axial offset of one of the circles with respect to theother, the follower portion 76 of. one of the locking bolts 71 iscorrespondingly offset in the same direction as the circle of the cam 74which it follows. To bias the lock bolts 71 against the cam 74 forretraction, a conventional spring, not shown, may be extended betweenthe distal ends of the lock bolts 71.

The shaft 50 also bears a generally D-shaped cam 77 which is followed bya pair of limit switches 78 and 79,. The two limit switches 78 and 79operate to control the opening and closing steps of the lock mechanismas may be seen from the circuit diagrams of FIGS. 12 and 13. Thisoperation is described in greater detail below.

The shaft 50 is equipped with a manual advancing means 81 for advancingthe earns -74 and 77 from their position when the apparatus is in theunlocked state to a condition of readiness to relock. The manualadvancing means 81' includes a generally cup-shaped cam-like member 82attached to the shaft 50, a longer finger 83 and a shorter finger 84attached to a finger-actuatable button 86, and acompression spring 87biasing the fingers 83 and 84 and the button 86 away from the camlikemember 82. As may be seen in H0. 3, the button 86 is accessible througha hole in a lower side wall of the drawer 64 so that itmay be manuallyactuated to place the lock mechanism in condition for relocking. The twofinger members 83 and 84 pass through appropriate holes in a bracket 88which supports the fingers 83 and 84 and the button 86.

To advance the shaft 50, the button 86 is pressed inward, driving thelonger finger 83 against an edge of the cutaway portion 89 of thecup-shaped member 82. The longer finger 83 thus urges the cup-shapedmember 82 to rotate in a clockwise direction as seen in FIG. 11 andcarries the shaft 50 in a clockwise direction with it. The shorterfinger 84 also advances together with the longer finger 83, but due toits shorter length, it contacts the cup-shaped member 82 after thelonger finger 83 has rotated the member 82 several degrees. As thecupshaped member 82 rotates under the urging of the longer finger 83 thelower edge 91 of the cutaway portion 89 eventually contacts the shorterfinger 84 and the rotation stops.

The operation of the opening and closing cycles of the locking devicemay best be understood by reference to FIG. 12. In this figure the cam77 is shown in the approximate position that it occupies when the lockportion 22 is in the locked condition and ready to be reopened. Electricpower is supplied from a source generally indicated at 92 through apower supply line 93 (FIG. 3) which passes out through the rear of thedrawer 64 and into the rear portion of the coin acceptor 61. A switch 94is located so that it is closed when the drawer 64 is fully insertedinto the coin acceptor 61. As shown in Flg. 3, the switch 94 is locatedat the rear of the drawer 64 for actuation by abuttment against an innerportion of the casing 62. Of course, a number of other appropriatelocations might be employed, the importantthing being that the switch 94be closed by full insertion of the drawer 64 into the coin acceptor 61.

The switches 78 and 79 are in parallel relationship to each other and inseries relationship with the switch 94, and the switch 78 is also inseries with the series circuit 29 of switches 26 in the line of supplyof power to the motor 33. When the locking device 21 is in the stateshown in FIG. 12, closure of all of the switches 26 in the seriescircuit 29 will supply electric power through the switch 94, theswitches 26 in the series circuit 29, the closed switch 78 and thencethrough the driving coil 34 of the motor 33. This'is the condition inwhich the lock begins to open, and provided none of the switches 26 ofthe series circuit are opened and none of the switches 26 of theparallel circuit 31 are closed, the motor 33 will operate to rotate thecam 77 counterclockwise through slightly less than one half rotation tothe point at which the switch 78 is opened. I

Due to the slightly right-of-centcr location ofthe cam 77 as seen inFIG. 12, switch 79 willstill be open at the point of opening switch 78when the motor 33 stops. At this rotational position of the cam 77, thedouble eccentric cam 74 has fully retracted the lock bolts 71 and thedrawer 64 is free for removal from the coin acceptor 61. Despitecontinued closure of switch 94 until the drawer 64 is removed from thecoin acceptor 61 the motor 33 cannot operate because both switches 79and 78 are simultaneously open.

When it is desired to reclose the locking device 21, the advancing means81 is operated by manual finger pressure on the button 86 to advance thecam'means 77 slightly counterclockwise, to the point at which switch 79closes while switch 78 remains open. Since the drawer 64 must be pulledat least a small amount out of the coin acceptor 61 to reach the button86 of the manual advancing means 81, the switch 94 will be opened sothat no electric power can be supplied to the motor 33 until the drawer64 is reinserted. Upon reinsertion of the drawer 64, the switch 94 isclosed by impingement against the back wall of the recess which receivesthe drawer 64. Electric power is then supplied through switch 94 andswitch 79, then closed, to the driving coil 34 of the motor 33.

The motor 33 then drives the cam 77 approximately a half revolutioncounterclockwise asseen in FIG. 12 to return it finally to the positionshown, with the switch means 79 opened. The opening of the switch means79 terminates the supply of current to the driving coil 34 of the motor33 and its operation then ceases. In this position of the cam means 77,the lock bolts 71 are fully extended and the drawer 64 is once againlocked in place within the coin acceptor 61 until such time as the keyportion 23 rier of closure plate 24.

From the diagrams of FIGS. 12 and 13 it may be seen that the switches 78and 79 actuated by the cam 77 are essentially connected in parallelrelationship with each other and in series relationship with the switch94 in the line of supply of power to the motor 33. Switch 78 isessentially in series relationship with the series connected magneticreed switches 26 of the series circuit 29.

TWo new features are introduced in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 14 and15, the elimination of the slideout coin drawer 64 and the non-obviouslocation for the application of the key portion 23 to the lock portion22. In this embodiment the outer casing or enclosure 62 is marked on atleast one surface with a number of locator marks shown here asintersecting grid lines 96. Certain of the marks 96 define a correctlocation for the placement of the key portion 23 against the lockportion 22, and the magnetic reed switches within the lock portion 22are positioned adjacent that correct location so that they areactuatable by the key portion 23 when it is applied to'that location incorrect orientation.

is reapplied to the bar-'.

It may readily be seen that a number of incorrect locations for thepositioning of the key portion 23 against the lock portion 22 aredefined by the locator marks 96, so that the opening procedure of thelock is made more sophisticated and still less susceptible to tamperingor defeat. With this arrangement, it is desirable to make the correctlocation unobvious, and for this purpose the loeator marks 96 would becreated in a fashion such as embossing or etching in apiece of highlywear resistant material such as stainless steel. The repeatedapplication of the key portion 23 to the correct location would thus notgive away the correct location through showing wear marks on the lockportion 22.

Within the lock portion 22 the circuit board 69 bearing the magneticreed switches 26 would be located at the time of manufacture at thedesired location and securely affixed in that location. While thelocator marks 96 have been here shown as an intersecting set of gridlines, it should be appreciated that a wide variety of nonobviouslocation symbols providing one correct and a number of incorrectlocation indentifications could be likewise employed, such as as fieldof dots or a pattern of lines radiating from centers, for example.

The key portion 23 for use in this embodiment would be constructedwithout the locator lip 72 and the barrier or closure plate 24 need notbe formed with the bevelled portion 56. While the key has been hereshown has been applied to the top of the coin acceptor 61 any accessibleexterior surface of the acceptor 61 would also be suitable. With thenon-obvious location for correct key placement as shown in FIG. 14,defeat of the locking device 21 by means other than physical forcingbecomes herculanean task, as the would-be thief must not only possessthe correct key and know the correct combination to dial :into thecorrect key, but further must know the correct location for applicationof the key to the lock.

The other feature illustrated in FIGS. 14 and is the absence of the coindrawer 64. In this embodiment the coins are collected within the coinacceptor 61 in a receptacle 97 having a generally hopper-shaped bottom.It may be seen from FIG. 15 that the coins constitute an essentiallyflowable material and they roll and slide to the bottom of te receptable97. While coins are shown as the dispensed matter, any flowable materialmight likewise be dispensed. The hopper-shaped bottom of the receptacle97 is closed off by a valve member or door 98, which is pivotallymounted about a pin 99. The valve member or door 98 leads to a chute 111which leads in turn to the exterior of the outer casing 62 of the lockportion 22.

In this embodiment, the electromotive device or lock actuator 27 is onecapable of producing a linear motion which is imparted through a linkage112 to the valve member or door 98. The linkage 112 includes an elongatemember 113 which is moved vertically as shown in FIG. 15 by theelectromotive device 27, a bell crank 114 which is pivotally mounted onthe inner portion of the latch member 117 to the left thus frees the arm118 and the door 98 to allow them to move to the position shown inphantom in FIG. 15. The coins then flow out of the hopper 97 and downthe chute 11 to the exterior of the coin acceptor 61.

To prevent straight line intrusion of forcing tools into the vicinity ofthe door 98 through thechutej 11, the chute 111 has at least one sharpbend such as that indicated at 119. Since rotary motion of the actuator27 is not required in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, a numberof other forms of electrically actuated devices could be employed in thelocking device shown here. For instance, the lock actuator 27 could be asolenoid, with the member 113 attached to the moving core of thesolenoid for movement away from the actuator 27 when power is suppliedto the actuator.

Another form of electromotive device 27 which may be used to actuate thelock is schematically illustrated in FIG. 21. In this form, the actuatoris a thermal device which includes an electric heater element 121 and athermal expansive element 122 which is connected to the linkage 112through the member 113. Such a thermal expansive element 122 could be abimetal strip pivotally connected to the lower end of the member 113 andso arranged as to curve upwardly to the position shown in phantom inFIG. 21 upon application of heat from the electric heater element 121.The curving movement of the thermal expansive element 122 thus producedwould be transmitted into linear upward motion of the member 113 throughthe pivotal connection. Other types of thermal exapnsion such as thatproducible by a gas-filled bellows or Syphon-like device would also besuitable if transmitted from the expanding element to the member 113.

If the electromagnetic device or lock actuator 27 is to be an electricmotor, the member 113 could be connected eccentrically to a disc memberrotated by the motor to convert the rotary motion to linear motion ofthe member 113. If a rotary motion device such as an electric motor 33is employed in this instance, it would be desirable to provide a cyclingcam 77 similar to that shown in the preceding embodiment bringing therotating disc member to a halt approximately every half revolution. Ifan electric motor or a solenoid is used, either the bucking coil NOGOdevice illustrated in FIG. 12 or the circuit breaker NOGO deviceillustrated in FIG. 13 could be applied, but with the thermally actuateddevice of FIG. 21 the NOGO device would be limited to a circuitinterrupter such as that shown in FIG. 13.

While the two features, the elimination of the coin drawer and thenon-obvious location for application of the key to the lock have beenshown together in the embodiment of FIGS. 14 and 15, the two featuresare not dependent upon each other, and the non-obvious key locationfeature could be applied to a drawer-type coin receptacle as shown inthe preceding embodiment. The drawerless coin collection feature of theembodiment of FIGS. 14 and 15 could likewise be equipped with theobvious key location feature of the embodiment of FIGS. 1 through 10.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, a number ofthe magnetic reed switches 26 are mounted on the circuit board 69 on theside of the circuit board 69 facing the front of the closure plate 24 asbefore, and the circuit board 69 is made rotatable about a hub 123. Thehub 123 has a shoulder 124 which spaces the circuit board 69 slightlyaway from the front of the hollow portion 68 to allow clearance for themagnetic reed switches 26. In this embodiment the circuit board 69 isdisc-shaped and formed with ratchet teeth 126 at its outer periphery.Since the circuit board 69 rotates, electrical contact to the magneticreed switches 26 made through a slip-ring commutator arrangement. Thecommutator has three contact fingers 127, each in sliding contact withone of three conductive rings 128 located on the opposite face of thecircuit board 69 from the switches 26. The appropriate connections tothe series and parallel circuits 29 and 31 of the switches 26 are madefrom the rings 128 through the circuit board 69 to its front face, thatis, the face which is hidden in FIG. 17.

The disc-shaped circuit board 69 isadvanced a determined fraction ofrotation on each cycle of opening and closing of the locking device by apawl 129 pivotally attached to the distal end of one of locking bolts71. The pawl 129 engages a new one of the ratchet teeth 126 each timethe locking bolt 71 is retracted to the unlocked position and advancesthat tooth to rotate the circuit board 69 each time the locking bolt 71is extended to the locked position. The pawl 129 may be biased towardthe center of the circuit board 69 by a suitable spring means, notshown.

Also shown in FIG. 17 and appropriate as well to the embodiment of FIGS1 through is the mounting plate 131 which is fastened to the rear of theclosure plate 24 by screws 132. Screws 133 pass through the mountingplate 131 and through apertures 134 in the lock bolt 71 to providethebearing 73 about which the lock bolt 71 pivots. Each of the lock bolts71 is equipped with a pair of latching surfaces136 and a pair ofrelieved portions 137 adjacent the latching surfaces 136, so that thelocking bolt 71 will clear the lip 72 on retraction. When the apparatusis assembled, the lock bolts 71 are disposed within the mounting plate131 and the latch surfaces 136 pass out through the sides of themounting plate 131 through slots 138. The motor 33 is mounted on themounting plate 131 by a bracket 139 and the switches 78 and 79 arecarried on brackets 141 attached to the mounting plate 131.

The key portion 23 corresponding to the lock mechanism shown in FIG. 17is shown in FIG. 18. As previously, the magnets 28 are carried on a pairof rotating ratchet wheels 47 and 48. However, in the present embodimentthe radially outermost ratchet wheel 48 is borne in turn by a rotatabledisc 142. A dialing mechanism including a shaft 49, a knob 41 and dialindicia 57, not shown in this view, is coupled to the ratchet wheels 47and 49 to selectively rotate the ratchet wheels 47 and 48 with respectto each other and with respect to the rotatable disc 142.

In the present embodiment the key portion 23 is equipped with anadvancing mechanism effective to rotate jointly all of the dialmechanism, the ratchet wheels 47 and 48 and the disc 142, to correspondto the rotary advancement of the circuit board 69 bearing the switches26 within the lock portion 22. The advancing mechanism 143 includes arotatable face plate 144 which bears, on the face hidden from view inFIG. 18, the dial indicia 57 and is pierced by the indicator window 58,a lever 146 attached to the rotatable face plate 144 and accessible fromthe outside of the key portion 23, a face plate 144, and retainer clips148 which secure the rotatable face plate 144 to the front face 53 ofthe case 52.

assist in locating the home position of the lever 146. To allow for thisform of mounting ofthe face plate 144 on the face plate 53, a circularaperture 152 slightly smaller in diameter than the face plate 144 is cutin the face plate 53, and the retainer clips 148 are set on the back ofthe'face plate 144 to pass through the circular opening 152 andslidcably engage the edge of that opening and the back of the face plate53. A pin 149 secured to the back of the face plate 144 engages acorresponding slot 151 in the rotatable disc 142 so that the disc 142and the face plate 144'rotate together. Suitable indicia may be markedif desired on the front face of the face plate 53 to indicate therotational'position of the lever 146.

To assure correct dialing of the combination for the ratchet wheels 47and 48, the rotatable disc 142 and the face plate 144 may be returned toa homing position before each operation of the key by bringing the lever146 back to the stop pin 147. The lever 146 is then held in thatposition while the correct combina-- tion is dialed for the ratchetwheels 47 and 48 by clockwise and counterclockwise rotation oftheknobsl. When this is complete, the lever 146 is totated to bring theentire inner mechanism of the key portion 23 to the rotational positioncorresponding to the last advancement of the circuit board 69 andswitches 26 within the lock portion 22. It is necessary for the operatorof the key portion 23 to remember what the last correct positioning ofthe lever 146 was so that he may position the lever 146 one incrementfarther in the clockwise direcmovement of the circuit board.69.

tion than the previous setting to accommodate the In effect, theadvancing mechanism 143 in the key portion 23 is simply anothercombination setting element, and it should be appreciated that the stoppin 147 and the return to the home position of the rotatable face plate143 are not strictly speaking necessary to the operation. They could forinstance be replaced by a small pinion gear engaging the'edge of therotatable face plate 144 and operated by an appropriate knob, or therotatable face plate 144 could be left entirely free to rotate withoutany particular home position, provided it was rotated to the correctlocation at in the lockiitg device 21 of the present invention is that 7schematically shown in FIG. 16. In this embodiment, the magnetic reedswitches 26 are mounted as before on a circuit board 69 which is formedas a'rotatable disc within the lock portion 22, and magnets 28'and theirassociated ratchet wheels are mounted on a second rotatable disc memberschematically indicated as 142. However, in contrast to the precedingembodiment, the circuit board 69 is here coupled to the shaft 50 of theelectric motor 33 within the lock portion, and the electric motor 33 isof the synchronous type. Within the key portion 23 the rotatable member142 is coupled to the shaft 153 of a second synchronous motor 154, sothat the circuit board 69 and the rotatable member 142 are rotated insynchronism in the same rotational direction during the opening cycle ofthe locking device 21', and the magnets 28 are-maintained in alignmentwith the switches 26 as the magnets 28 and switches 26 jointly rotate.

While the two electromotive devices 33 and 154 have been described hereas synchronous electric motors, it should be appreciated that what isrequired in these two electromotive devices is that the two togetheressentially form a mechanism for maintaining synchronism of movement ofthe two shafts 50 and 153. Accordingly, the two electromotive devices 33and 154 could also be a Selsyn-type transmitter and receiver pair, withthe transmitter preferably being located in the lock portion 22.

The synchronous motor 33 is equipped with the previously describeddriving coil 34 and bucking coil 36, while the motor 154 requires only adriving coil, not shown. The driving coil 34 and the bucking coil 36 aresupplied with electric power through the series circuit 29 and theparallel circuit 31 respectively as in the previous embodiments. As thecircuit board 69 revolves in this example, the connections to it aremade through contact fingers 127 and rings 128 essentially similar tothose depicted in FIG. 17.

The two electric motors 33 and 154 are supplied with power along a pairof power lines 156 and 157 shown here as originating in the key portion23. However, the power source for the power lines 156 and 157 could alsobe located in the lock portion 22. Electric power is supplied to themotor 154 along a line 158 leading from line 156 through a NOGOinterrupter relay 59 and from thence to the motor 154. The line 158 alsosupplies driving power to one side of the coil of the N000 interrupterrelay 159. The relay 159 is a normally closed relay which is powered tointerrupt conductor 158 as described below.

The circuit for motor 154 is completed through two alternate paths, onebeing along a line 161 through a normally opened start switch 162 andthence to the power supply line 157, and the other being along a line166 passing through a normally open cycling switch 163 which is operatedby a cycling cam 164, and thence through a G failure relay 167 back tothe power supply line 157. The G0 failure relay 167 is of the normallyclosed type and is opened in response to the opening of one of theswitches 26 in the series circuit 29 within the lock in a fashiondescribed below. The driving coil of GO failure relay 167 is suppliedwith power from the power supply conductors 157 and 156.

It may be seen that the start switch 162 acts as a bypass to the cyclingswitch 163 which is open at the point in the cycle when the disc members69 and 142 first begin to rotate. Since the switch 162 serves only as abypass until switch 163 is closed by rotation of the cam 164 it may bespring-loaded open or it may be of the momentary contact type. A secondstarting switch 168 is ganged together with the starting switch 162 forjoint operation in a similar fashion to bypass the cycling switch 169 inthe lock portion. The cycling switch 169 operates in a fashion similarto the cycling switch 163 in the key portion, being a normally openswitch closed by the action of the cycling cam 171 on the shaft 50 inthe lock portion 22.

As the operation of the lock portion is begun, power is supplied to themotor 33 from the power supply line 157 through the starting switch 168and from thence through the series circuit 29 through a line 173 to thedriving coil 34. The circuit is completed from the driving coil 34 backto the power supply line 156 through a line 172. As the cam 171 beginsto rotate, it closes switch 169 to establish a circuit from power supplyline 157 through a line 174 and the switch 169 to the series circuit 29,and the starting switch 168 may then be released without interruptingthe supply of power.

Similarly the cycling cam 164 in the key portion 23 closes the cyclingswitch 163 as it begins to rotate, to supply power from power supplyline 157 through the GO failure relay 167, the switch 163 and line 166to the motor 154. If all conditions are correct, both motors 33 and 154will continue to rotate, driving the cycling cams 164 and 171 and thedisc members 69 and 142 for one-half rotation, until the oppositeindentation in each of the cams 171 and 164 reaches the respectivecycling switch 169 and 163. At this point, the supply of electric powerto both motors is interrupted by the opening of the cycling switches 163and 169 and the rotation of both the switches 26 and the magnets 28 isbrought to a halt. This condition corresponds to the full withdrawal ofthe locking bolts 71 and the opening of the lock portion 22.

It can thus be seen that complete synchronism of the movement of theswitches 26 on the circuit board 69 and of the magnets 28 on therotatable disc 142 is required. Any failure to keep the magnets movingexactly in step with the movementof the switches 26 will result eitherin the opening of one of the switches 26 in the series circuit 29 or theclosure of one of the switches 26 in the parallel circuit 31, witheither event interrupting the operation of motor-33 in the fashionpreviously described.

To maintain the necessary rotary phase relation between the key portion23 and the lock portion 22 it is necessary to provide for theinterruption of the motor 154 in the key portion should the motor 33 inthe lock portion 22 be interrupted by either failure of the GO circuit29 or operation of the NOGO circuit 31. For this purpose the N000parallel circuit 31 is not only connected to the bucking coil 36 at themotor 33 but is also connected to a line 176 leading to the other end ofthe driving coil of the N060 interrupter relay 159 in the key portion23. .Thus should the N000 parallet circuit 31 be energized, the buckingcoil 36 will stop the motor 33 and the supply of power along line 176 tothe N000 interrupter relay 159 will cause that normally closed relay toopen and terminate the supply of power to the motor 154.

The motor 154 also needs to be halted should any of the switches of theGO circuit 29 be opened; For this purpose the GO failure relay 167 isconnected across the two power supply lines 156 and 157. The drivingcoil of the relay 167 is designed to have a pull-in current sufficientlyhigh that it is not operated if current is passing through the drivingcoil 34 of the motor 33. Whenever the circuit through the driving coil34 of the motor 33 is interrupted, such as by the opening of one of theswitches 26 in the series circuit 29, sufficient current is thenavailable from the power supply lines 156 and 157 to operate the drivingcoil of the relay 167 and interrupt the supply of power along line 166to the motor 154.

This embodiment requires that a pair of mating eonnectors 177 beprovided on the lock portion 22 and the key portion 23 to couple thepower on lines 156, 157 and 176 and from switch 168 from the key portionto the lock portion. Such connectors are conventional in the art, andany suitable form may be used.

As shown in the embodiment of FIG. 16 the power for the electric motors33 and 154 is supplied from within the key portion 23 by a power supplygenerally indicated at 178. While the power supply may be fromconventional domestic alternating current sources, it is advantageousfrom the standpoint of convenience and portability to provide it in thefashion shown here, including a battery 179,. a switch 181, and aninverter circuit generally indicated as 182. The inverter circuit hasbeen indicated only generally as any number of conventional invertorsmay be used. For compactness, the inverter used in the presentapplication might well be constructed of solid state components. Aspointed out above, although the inverter is shown located in the keyportion of the apparatus, it could be also be located in the lockportion 22 or AC power could be supplied from domestic sources throughthe lock portion 22 as in the preceding embodiments.

FIG. 19 illustrates schematically the variationin construction of thekey portion 23 in which the key includes three concentric wheels 183,184 and 186, each bearing one magnet 28. The inner two of the wheels maybe constructed akin to the ratchetwheels 47 and 48. In this form of thekey 23, the uniqueness of the key is sacrificed in order to gain a widerrange of possible lock combinations. With this form any combination canbe dialed for any lock designed to go with such a three-ring key, asnone of the magnets 28 are fixed in location with respect to eachothenHowever, it should be clear that a key portion 23 of the three-ringtype shown here will not operate a lock portion 22 intended for use witha unique type of key shown in the embodiment of FIGS. 1 through 10, assuch a lock portion 22 has two of its GO switches 26 located on the sameradius, while the key portion 23 of the three-ring form is not capableof positioning two magnets on the same radius.

In the form of the switching circuit shown in FIG. 20, the function ofthe switches 26 in the lock portion 22 may be inverted in effect, thatis, all of the GO series switches changed to NOGO parallel switches andvice versa. The switching circuit of this form includes a number offour-pole double-throw switches 187, with one 4PDT switch 187 associatedwith each pair of mag.- netic reed switches 26. While the switches 187are shown independent of each other, they may also be all gangedtogether for joint operation. The magnetic reed switches 26 are wired inpairs 26a and 26b, 26c and 26d, and 26e and 26f. One of the switches 26in each pair serves the GO function and the other serves the NOGOfunction at any given time. Power is supplied as in the embodiments ofFIGS. 12 and 13 from a source generallyindicated as 92, which may, ifdesired, be switched by a switch 94 as in ,the embodiment of FIG. 12.One of the power lines 92b proceeds directly to the N000 device 32 andthe electromotive device or lock actuator 27.

With the switches 187 in the configuration shown in FIG. 20, magneticreed switches 26a, 26d and 26e are connected in parallel and supplypower to the NOGO device 32.'Switches 26b, 26c and 26f are connected inseries to supply power to the lock actuator 27. As is the case with theembodiments of FIGS. 12 and 13, the power is supplied through the seriesconnected switches to a series bus line 189 and from thence to both thelock actuator 27 and-through a line 188 for supply to theparallel-connected switches. The parallelconnected switches in turncommunicate with a line 191 leading to the NOGO device 32.

Power is supplied from line 92a through the upper portion of switch 187ato switch 26h, thence through the lower portion of switch 1870 to theinterconnecting line 192. Line 192 supplies the power to the upperportion of the switch 187b from which it is supplied to the switch 260,and thence through the lower portion of switch 187!) to theinterconnecting line 193. The line 193 supplies the power through thetop portion of the switch 187a to the series bus line 189 and the line188. Line 188 supplies power to the upper portions of all three switches187a, 1871), and 1870. As those switches are set in FIG. 20 the power isthus supplied from line 188 through the upper portion of switch 187a andswitch 26a, thence through the lower portion of switch 187a and to theparallel power bus 191, through the upper portion of switch 18712 andswitch 26d and thence through the lower portion of switch 187d to theparallel bus 191, and also through the upper portion-of switch 1870,switch 2 6e and a lower portion of switch 187C to the parallel bus 191.v

Switching any of the switches 187 will thus invert the function of thepair of switches 26 controlled by that particular switch 187. Thecombination of the lock may thereby be changed in whole or in parteither periodically, or in a crisis situation such as the loss of a keyportion 23. Upon change of the combination a new key portion 23 wouldgenerally be required. Where the combination is periodically or atrandom changed for greater security, the various key portions 23corresponding to all of the potential combination changes possiblethrough the use of switches l-87 might be supplied at thetime that thelocks were supplied, However, for crisis changes of combination, a newkey portion 23 corresponding to the totally or partly invertedcombination might be supplied by a distributor or from the factory.

The switches 187 would be located near a separate access means such asthe access hatch 66 (FIG. 1). The lock '67 on the access hatch 66 thusneed not have the same level of security as the locking device 21 ofthis invention, as it is not possible to defeat the locking device 21merely upon having access through the access hatch 66 to the switches187. Nonetheless, a moderate degree of security on the access hatch 66is desirable to render the use of a stolen key portion 23 moredifficult.

From the foregoing it may be seen that a locking device has beenprovidedwhich is highly secure against picking and forcing. The lock possessesno keyhole and has a NOGO device and a great number of possiblecombinations to block tampering. The key shown may be made unique to aseries of locks, and the location of its application to the lock may beunobvious. The entire apparatus is capableof automatic change ofcombination. I

We claim: I 1. An electromagnetic locking device having a lock portionand a key portion, comprising:

a. an array of magnetically actuatable switches within said lockportion, I

b. an electromotive device within said lock portion, for performing adesired unlocking function upon energization, said electromotive devicehaving first and second coils, said first coil being operative toactuate said device and said second coil be operative to produce a fieldblocking the operation of said first coil and preventing actuation ofsaid device,

c. at least one of said plurality of switches being connected in seriesin the line of supply of power to said first coil,

d. at least one of said plurality of switches being connected in seriesin the line of supply of power to said second coil which switches, whenmore than one are employed, are in parallel with each other, wherebyclosure of one of said switches actuates said second coil to produce aNOGO function and,

e. an array of magnets within said key portion positionable to actuatethe desired switches of said plurality of switches.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein said magnetically actuatable switchesare reed switches.

3. An electromagnetic locking device as described in claim 1 and whereinsaid locking device further comprises a power supply located in the keyportion for supplying electric power to said electromotive device withinsaid lockportion, said key portion and said lock portion having matingconnectors thereon for coupling said power from said key portion to saidlock portion. 4. An electromagnetic locking device as described in claim3 and wherein said power supply comprises a battery and an inverter forconverting DC current from said battery to AC for supply to saidelectromotive device within said lock portion.

5. An electromagnetic locking device comprising a lock portion, a keyportion, and a barrier interposed between said lock portion and said keyportion, said lock portion comprising a plurality of magneticallyactuated switches arranged in a pattern adjacent said barrier, and

an electromotive device having its power supply controlled by saidswitches and operative to unlock said lock portion,

said key portion comprising a plurality of magnets carried on aplurality of rotatable elements within said key portion to provide acombination-setting function said magnets being positionable tocorrespond to said pattern of said switches, and said barrier beingformed of magnetically permeable material and shaped to prevent physicalpenetration of said key portion into said lock portion.

6. An electromagnetic locking device as described in claim 5 and whereinsaid magnets are permanent magnets.

7. An electromagnetic locking device as described in claim 5 and whereina first one of said switches is connected in series relationship withthe supply of electricity to said electromotive device and said lockportion further comprises an electrical NOGO device for disabling theaction of said electromotive device, said electrical NOGO device beingsupplied with power through a second one of said switches, wherebyactuation of said second switch will block operation of saidelectromotive device despite actuation of said first switch.

8. An electromagentic locking device as described in claim 7 and whereina plurality of said switches are connected in series relationship witheach other so that actuation ofall of said switches in said series isrequired to transmit power therethrough for said electromotive device,said first one of said switches being one of said plurality in series.

9. The device of claim 5 wherein said magnetically actuatable switchesare reed switches.

10. The device of claim 7 wherein said magnetically actuatable switchesare reed switches,

11. The device of claim 8 wherein said magnetically actuatable switchesare reed switches.

12. An electromagnetic locking device as described in claim 7 andwherein a plurality of said switches are connected in parallelrelationship with each other, said electrical NOGO device being suppliedwith electric power through said plurality of parallel-connectedswitches will supply electrical power to said electrical NOGO device.

13. An electromagnetic locking device as described in claim 12 andwherein a plurality of said switches are connected in seriesrelationship to each other and in series with the supply of power tosaid electromotive device, so that actuation of all of said plurality ofseries connected switches is required to pass power to saidelectromotive device.

14. An electromagnetic locking device as described in claim 13 andwherein said lock portion further comprises switch means interconnectedwith said plurality of series connected switches and said plurality ofparallel connected switches and operative to change said seriesconnected switches to parallel connection and from supply of power tosaid electromotive device to supply of power to said electrical NOGOdevice, and to change said parallel connected switches to seriesconnected and from supply of power to said electrical NOGO device tosupply of power to said electromotive device, and access means forproviding security of access to said switch means, whereby the functionof said switches in said lock portion may be inverted in effect.

15. An electromagnetic locking device as described in claim 5 andwherein said electromotive device comprises an electric motor.

16. An electromagnetic locking device as described in claim 15 andwherein a plurality of said magnetic reed switches are connected inseries relationship to each other in the line of supply of electricpower to said motor and said lock portion further comprises anelectrical NOGO device effective upon energization to prevent theunlocking of said lock portion, one of said magnetic reed switches otherthan said seriesconnected switches being interposed in the line of powersupply to said electrical NOGO devices whereby actuation of saidseries-connected switches absent actuation of said one of said switcheswill cause said electric motor to operate to unlock said lock portion,and actuation of said one of said switches will prevent locking despiteactuation of said series-connected switches.

17. An electromagnetic locking device as described in claim 16 andwherein said electric motor comprises a driving coil and said electricalNOGO device comprises a bucking coil within said motor, said drivingcoil being effective to operate said motor unless said bucking coil ispowered, said bucking coil when powered creating a field effective toneutralize the field of said driving coil and thereby prevent operationof said motor.

18. An electromagnetic locking device as described in claim 16 andwherein said electrical NOGO device comprises a circuit breakerinterposed in series relationship in the power supply line to saidelectric motor,

said circuit breaker being tripped to its interrupting state by thesupply of power thereto from said one of said magnetic reed switches.

19. An electromagnetic locking device as described in claim 18 andwherein said circuit breaker has a toggle action of remaining in theinterrupting state until reset,separately secured access being providedto an area of said lock portion from which said circuit breaker may bereached for resetting.

20. An electromagnetic locking device as described in claim and whereinsaid key portion further comprises a plurality of concentric ratchetwheels each bearing one of said magnets, and a dial device forpositioning said ratchet wheels at predetermined rotational positions.

21. An electromagnetic locking device as described in claim 20 andwherein a plurality of said magnets are affixed to one of said rachetwheels.

22. An electromagnetic locking device as described in claim 20 andwherein said key portion further comprises three concentric wheels eachbearing a magnet attached thereto, said dial device being connected tothe innermost of said wheels to rotate same.

23. An electromagnetic locking device as described in claim 5 andwherein said lock portion is marked with a plurality of locator marksthereon, said marks defining correct and incorrect locations forplacement of said key portion against said lock portion, said pluralityof magnetic reed switches within said lock portion being positionedadjacent said correct location so as to be actuatable by said keyportion when said key portion is applied to said correctlocation.

24. An electromagnetic locking device as described in claim 23 andwherein said locator marks define one correct position and a pluralityof incorrect positions, whereby an additional factor of complication isinjected into lock opening procedure to prevent unauthorized opening.

25. An electromagnetic locking device as described in claim 24 andwherein said plurality of locator marks comprise a grid of intersectinglines marked on the exterior of said lock portion, said correct locationbeing defined by the intersectionof a pair of said lines.

26. An electromagnetic locking device as described in claim 5 andwherein said plurality of magnetically actuated switches is mounted on arotatable disc within said lock portion, said disc being advanced adetermined fraction of rotation upon each cycle of opening and closingof said locking device, whereby the combination of said locking devicewill be automatically changed by a determined amount each time thelocking device is operated.

27. An electromagnetic locking device as described in claim 5 whereinsaid plurality of magnetically actuatable switches is mounted on arotatable disc within said lock portion, said disc being advanced adetermined fraction of rotation upon each cycle of opening and closingof said locking device, whereby the combination of said locking devicewill be automatically changed by a determined amount each time thelocking device is operated.

28. An electromagnetic locking device as described in claim 27 andwherein said key portion further comprises a plurality of concentricratchet wheels each bearing at least one of said magnets, the radiallyoutermost of said ratchet wheels being borne in turn upon a rotatablemember, a dialing mechanism coupled to said ratchet wheels and saidrotatable member an'd an advancing mechanism for selectively rotatingjointly said dial mechanism, ratchet wheels and rotatable member tocorrespond to the rotary advancement of said mag netic reed switcheswithin said lock portion, said dial mechanism being effective toselectively rotate said ratchet wheels with respect to each other andwith respect to said rotatable member.

29. An electromagnetic locking device as described in claim 27 andwherein said rotatable disc is a toothed ratchet wheel and said lockportion further comprises a bolt withdrawn by the said electromotivedevice, said bolt having a pawl thereon engagable with the teeth of saidratchet wheel for incrementally advancing said ratchet wheel each timesaid bolt is cycled through a full cycle of extension and retraction.

30. An electromagnetic locking device as described in claim 5 andwherein .said magnetically actuated switchesare mounted on a firstrotatable disc within said lock portion and said magnets are mounted ona second rotatable disc within said key portion, said discs beingrotated .in synchronism during the unlocking cycle of said lockingdevice.

31. An electromagnetic locking device as described in claim 30 andwherein said electromotive device comprises an electric motor of thesynchronous type and said first disc is rotated by said motor, and saidkey portion further comprises a synchronous electric motor coupled tosaid second rotatable disc for turning said second disc at the same rateof rotation as said first disc is turned by said electromotive device.

32. An electromagnetic locking device as described in claim 30 andwherein said key portion further comprises a second electromotive devicewithin said key portion coupled to said second rotatable disc forturning said second disc in synchronism with said first disc, said firstand second electromotive devices together comprising a servomechanismfor maintaining synchronism therebetween.

33. An electromagnetic locking device as described in claim 30 andwherein said key portion further comprises a second electromotive devicewithin said key portion coupled to said second rotatable disc forturning said second disc in synchronism with said first disc, said firstand second electromotive devices comprising a Selsyn-type transmitterand receiver pair.

34. The locking device of claim 27 wherein said magnetically actuatableswitches are magnetic reed switches.

35. The locking device of claim 30 wherein said magnetically actuatableswitches are magnetic reed

1. An electromagnetic locking device having a lock portion and a keyportion, comprising: a. an array of magnetically actuatable switcheswithin said lock portion, b. an electromotive device within said lockportion, for performing a desired unlocking function upon energization,said electromotive device having first and second coils, said first coilbeing operative to actuate said device and said second coil be operativeto produce a field blocking the operation of said first coil andpreventing actuation of said device, c. at least one of said pluralityof switches being connected in series in the line of supply of power tosaid first coil, d. at least one of said plurality of switches beingconnected in series in the line of supply of power to said second coilwhich switches, when more than one are employed, are in parallel witheach other, whereby closure of one of said switches actuates said secondcoil to produce a NOGO function and, e. an array of magnets within saidkey portion positionable to actuate the desired switches of saidplurality of switches.
 2. The device of claim 1 wherein saidmagnetically actuatable switches are reed switches.
 3. Anelectromagnetic locking device as described in claim 1 and wherein saidlocking device further comprises a power supply located in the keyportion for supplying electric power to said electromotive device withinsaid lock portion, said key portion and said lock portion having matingconnectors thereon for coupling said power from said key portion to saidlock portion.
 4. An electromagnetic locking device as described in claim3 and wherein said power supply comprises a battery and an inverter forconverting DC current from said battery to AC for supply to saidelectromotive device within said lock portion.
 5. An electromagneticlocking device comprising a lock portion, a key portion, and a barrierinterposed between said lock portion and said key portion, said lockportion comprising a plurality of magnetically actuated switchesarranged in a pattern adjacent said barrier, and an electromotive devicehaving its power supply controlled by said switches and operative tounlock said lock portion, said key portion comprising a plurality ofmagnets carried on a plurality of rotatable elements within said keyportion to provide a combination-setting function said magnets beingpositionable to correspond to said pattern of said switches, and saidbarrier being formed of magnetically permeable material and shaped toprevent physical penetration of said key portion into said lock portion.6. An electromagnetic locking device as described in claim 5 and whereinsaid magnets are permanent magnets.
 7. An electromagnetic locking deviceas described in claim 5 and wherein a first one of said switches isconnected in series relationship with the supply of electricity to saidelectromotive device and said lock portion further comprises anelectrical NOGO device for disabling the action of said electromotivedevice, said electrical NOGO device being supplied with power through asecond one of said switches, whereby actuation of said second switchwill block operation of said electromotive device despite actuation ofsaid first switch.
 8. An electromagentic locking device as described inclaim 7 and wherein a plurality of said switches are connected in seriesrelationship with each other so that actuation of all of said switchesin said series is required to transmit power therethrough for saidelectromotive device, said first one of said switches being one of saidplurality in series.
 9. The device of claim 5 wherein said magneticallyactuatable switches are reed switches.
 10. The device of claim 7 whereinsaid magnetically actuatable switches are reed switches.
 11. The deviceof claim 8 wherein said magnetically actuatable switches are reedswitches.
 12. An electromagnetic locking device as described in claim 7and wherein a plurality of said switches are connected in parallelrelationship with each other, said electrical NOGO device being suppliedwith electric power through said plurality of parallel-connectedswitches will supply electrical power to said electrical NOGO device.13. An electromagnetic locking device as described in claim 12 andwherein a plurality of said switches are connected in seriesrelationship to each other and in series with the supply of power tosaid electromotive device, so that actuation of all of said plurality ofseries connected switches is required to pass power to saidelectromotive device.
 14. An electromagnetic locking device as describedin claim 13 and wherein said lock portion further comprises switch meansinterconnected with said plurality of series connected switches and saidplurality of parallel connected switches and operative to change saidseries connected switches to parallel connection and from supply ofpower to said electromotive device to supply of power to said electricalNOGO device, and to change said parallel connected switches to seriesconnected and from supply of power to said electrical NOGO device tosupply of power to said electromotive device, and access means forproviding security of access to said switch means, whereby the functionof said switches in said lock portion may be inverted in effect.
 15. Anelectromagnetic locking device as described in claim 5 and wherein saidelectromotive device comprises an electric motor.
 16. An electromagneticlocking device as described in claim 15 and wherein a plurality of saidmagnetic reed switches are connected in series relationship to eachother in the line of supply of electric power to said motor and saidlock portion further comprises an electrical NOGO device effective uponenergization to prevent the unlocking of said lock portion, one of saidmagnetic reed switches other than said series-connected switches beinginterposed in the line of power supply to said electrical NOGO deviceswhereby actuation of said series-connected switches absent actuation ofsaid one of said switches will cause said electric motor to operate tounlock said lock portion, and actuation of said one of said switcheswill prevent locking despite actuation of said series-connectedswitches.
 17. An electromagnetic locking device as described in claim 16and wherein said electric motor comprises a driving coil and saidelectrical NOGO device comprises a bucking coil within said motor, saiddriving coil being effective to operate said motor unless said buckingcoil is powered, said bucking coil when powered creating a fieldeffective to neutralize the field of said driving coil and therebyprevent operation of said motor.
 18. An electromagnetic locking deviceas described in claim 16 and wherein said electrical NOGO devicecomprises a circuit breaker interposed in series relationship in thepower supply line to said electric motor, said circuit breaker beingtripped to its interrupting state by the supply of power thereto fromsaid one of said magnetic reed switches.
 19. An electromagnetic lockingdevice as described in claim 18 and whereIn said circuit breaker has atoggle action of remaining in the interrupting state until reset,separately secured access being provided to an area of said lock portionfrom which said circuit breaker may be reached for resetting.
 20. Anelectromagnetic locking device as described in claim 5 and wherein saidkey portion further comprises a plurality of concentric ratchet wheelseach bearing one of said magnets, and a dial device for positioning saidratchet wheels at predetermined rotational positions.
 21. Anelectromagnetic locking device as described in claim 20 and wherein aplurality of said magnets are affixed to one of said rachet wheels. 22.An electromagnetic locking device as described in claim 20 and whereinsaid key portion further comprises three concentric wheels each bearinga magnet attached thereto, said dial device being connected to theinnermost of said wheels to rotate same.
 23. An electromagnetic lockingdevice as described in claim 5 and wherein said lock portion is markedwith a plurality of locator marks thereon, said marks defining correctand incorrect locations for placement of said key portion against saidlock portion, said plurality of magnetic reed switches within said lockportion being positioned adjacent said correct location so as to beactuatable by said key portion when said key portion is applied to saidcorrect location.
 24. An electromagnetic locking device as described inclaim 23 and wherein said locator marks define one correct position anda plurality of incorrect positions, whereby an additional factor ofcomplication is injected into lock opening procedure to preventunauthorized opening.
 25. An electromagnetic locking device as describedin claim 24 and wherein said plurality of locator marks comprise a gridof intersecting lines marked on the exterior of said lock portion, saidcorrect location being defined by the intersection of a pair of saidlines.
 26. An electromagnetic locking device as described in claim 5 andwherein said plurality of magnetically actuated switches is mounted on arotatable disc within said lock portion, said disc being advanced adetermined fraction of rotation upon each cycle of opening and closingof said locking device, whereby the combination of said locking devicewill be automatically changed by a determined amount each time thelocking device is operated.
 27. An electromagnetic locking device asdescribed in claim 5 wherein said plurality of magnetically actuatableswitches is mounted on a rotatable disc within said lock portion, saiddisc being advanced a determined fraction of rotation upon each cycle ofopening and closing of said locking device, whereby the combination ofsaid locking device will be automatically changed by a determined amounteach time the locking device is operated.
 28. An electromagnetic lockingdevice as described in claim 27 and wherein said key portion furthercomprises a plurality of concentric ratchet wheels each bearing at leastone of said magnets, the radially outermost of said ratchet wheels beingborne in turn upon a rotatable member, a dialing mechanism coupled tosaid ratchet wheels and said rotatable member and an advancing mechanismfor selectively rotating jointly said dial mechanism, ratchet wheels androtatable member to correspond to the rotary advancement of saidmagnetic reed switches within said lock portion, said dial mechanismbeing effective to selectively rotate said ratchet wheels with respectto each other and with respect to said rotatable member.
 29. Anelectromagnetic locking device as described in claim 27 and wherein saidrotatable disc is a toothed ratchet wheel and said lock portion furthercomprises a bolt withdrawn by the said electromotive device, said bolthaving a pawl thereon engagable with the teeth of said ratchet wheel forincrementally advancing said ratchet wheel each time said bolt is cycledthrough a full cycle of extension and retraction.
 30. An electromagneticlocking device as described in claim 5 and wherein said magneticallyactuated switches are mounted on a first rotatable disc within said lockportion and said magnets are mounted on a second rotatable disc withinsaid key portion, said discs being rotated in synchronism during theunlocking cycle of said locking device.
 31. An electromagnetic lockingdevice as described in claim 30 and wherein said electromotive devicecomprises an electric motor of the synchronous type and said first discis rotated by said motor, and said key portion further comprises asynchronous electric motor coupled to said second rotatable disc forturning said second disc at the same rate of rotation as said first discis turned by said electromotive device.
 32. An electromagnetic lockingdevice as described in claim 30 and wherein said key portion furthercomprises a second electromotive device within said key portion coupledto said second rotatable disc for turning said second disc insynchronism with said first disc, said first and second electromotivedevices together comprising a servomechanism for maintaining synchronismtherebetween.
 33. An electromagnetic locking device as described inclaim 30 and wherein said key portion further comprises a secondelectromotive device within said key portion coupled to said secondrotatable disc for turning said second disc in synchronism with saidfirst disc, said first and second electromotive devices comprising aSelsyn-type transmitter and receiver pair.
 34. The locking device ofclaim 27 wherein said magnetically actuatable switches are magnetic reedswitches.
 35. The locking device of claim 30 wherein said magneticallyactuatable switches are magnetic reed switches.